British Predecimal Denominations

It's very confusing if you're under 50 years of age or not British to get your head round the British Pre-Decimal coinage system. Great Britain and Northern Ireland converted to a decimal currency (100 pennies =£1) in 1971 but before that we had what seems the most confusing illogical denomination system ever!

On the right is a brief description of the pre-decimal values and how many of them were contained in a pre-decimal £1. The £ (pound) stayed the same value after decimalisation.

Threepence (or 3d):

The Threepence, or 'thropence' as it is also referred to was equal to three pennies. There were therefore eighty threepences in a pre-decimal pound (£). The last threepence for circulation was dated 1967.

Shilling (or 1/-):

A shilling was worth twelve pennies. There were 20 in the pre-decimal pound (£). The shilling was replaced by the five new pence (1/20 of a decimal pound (£)). The last shilling for circulation was dated 1967 although they were used as Five pence pieces until the Five new pence (5p) coin was made smaller in 1990.

Florin (or Two Shillings, 2/-):

The Florin was worth 24 pre-decimal pence or two shillings. It was introduced by the Victorians in a step towards decimalisation, because it was worth one tenth of a pre-decimal pound (£). The last florin for circulation was dated 1967 although they were used as Ten new pence (10p) until the ten pence coin was made smaller in 1992.

Half Crown (Two Shillings and sixpence or 2/6):

All the previous denominations have been worth double the denomination before them. That stops with the florin, as the Half Crown was worth 30 pre-decimal pence (or two shillings and six pence). There were eight Half Crowns in a pound (£) The last half crown for circulation was dated 1967.

Crown (Five Shillings, 5s or 5/-) :

A Crown was worth 60 pre-decimal pence or one quarter of a pound (£). Although in the last 30 years+ of the pre-decimal currency Crowns were really only issued to mark special occasions. Crowns are still minted today and have been asigned a new £5 face value since 1990.

Half Sovereign and Sovereign:

Sovereigns have a face value of 20 Shillings (or one pound) and Half Sovereigns of 10 Shillings. As they are made of 22ct Gold they have a much higher metal value and were not used as currency in recent years.